Something that has always been difficult for me is choosing a book of the Bible to study. It’s true weather the study is part of a group or if it’s for personal time with God. So, it got me to wondering how others settle on their Bible studies (please share your ways in the comments).
Obviously, no matter what method you use, even if is drawing from a hat, it should be preceded with prayer. Now, with that said, here are three methods I use:
Bible Study – Start at the beginning – or not
As a new Christian in 1995, I started with the New Testament Gospels based upon advice I was given at the time. Then I bounced around to the names I thought were most interesting; Enoch, Habakkuk, Amos, Malachi. It wasn’t very effective (to say the least).
Later in my walk, I did a “Bible in 90 Days Challenge”
that started at the beginning using a specially formatted Bible for easy reading. For me, that challenge was not so much intended for “study” but to have at least gone through the Word so I have familiarity to base future studies.
Mo matter what method you use for choosing your Bible study, precede with prayer. Photo Credit: mathieujarryphoto via Compfight cc
Bible Study – Do a Needs Assessment
This is probably the most common method. Take stock of your life (or that of your group’s) and factor in as many variables as possible. Begin to view all of that in context of “what book would someone prescribe for this?” This may involve doing some Internet searching or browsing at a Christian retailer, perhaps conversations with trusted friends and mentors, but is an effective means to hitting that spiritual sweet spot.
Bible Study – Based Compulsion
Probably one that is used less often, but one that I particularly enjoy. It may sound like the “bounce around” method deployed in #1, but it has a better basis. For some reason, I sometimes get an inkling about a certain book and start to think “that would be a good one to study.” It stays in the back of my mind as I continue to blog, do devotions, listen to radio, have conversations at church, etc. And for some reason, the book pops up frequently in all those forums.
Here’s an example of the Compulsion method, when asked about which book we would be studying as Sunday School approached, I told the group about this compulsion I have to do 2 Corinthians. This was despite having not done the first book or having any further lead in. They agreed and we studied in great detail while gaining wonderful perspective on comfort, self examination, obedience, weakness, strength and so much more. It was a real blessing in many ways.
I’m currently having similar compulsions about Ecclesiastes, so who knows? Maybe that one is next.
Hardly academic by any means, but it’s a couple methods that work for me. Perhaps it can help you as well.